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Metris became a member of the Nikon group
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Plastic components are often used to serve as housings, or electrical or thermal isolation. Their dimensions are critical in order to avoid assembly issues, guarantee product reliability or provide electrical and thermal isolation.
At the same time the plastic injection molding process is a complicated process, which, if not set up correctly, results in major shortcomings like undercuts, voids, part deformation and shrinkage.
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Dimensional verification of mobile phone cover
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CT challenges when inspecting plastic components
- Acquiring insight into the internal structure: as X-rays “see through material”, CT is able to reveal hidden features that touch probes cannot reach and laser and vision systems cannot seen
- Need for non-destructive testing: in most cases the only alternative to CT inspection are destructive testing methods that destroy the test sample. Even if this is not an issue, it remains a less-than-ideal solution, since it involves a time-consuming process and often leads to deformations while re-combining the data of the different sections can introduce even more errors.
- High resolution and accuracy: the magnification capability of X-ray imaging makes it possible to inspect components that only measure a few millimeters with micrometer resolution.
- Fast results: Computed Tomography of plastic parts require massive data to be reconstructed into a single model
- Dimensional verification: accurate geometry comparison to CAD model using fast and accurate 3D inspection software that includes feature comparison, wall thickness, dimensioning and GD&T.
Recommended Metris system
The XT H 225 (LC) is the advised solution:
- High power 225kV micro-focus x-ray sources
- Micro-focus source has a resolution op to 3µm
- Fast CT reconstruction software
- Powerful and full-featured post-processing analysis in Focus Inspection or VolumeGraphics
- Standard cabinet can measure samples up to 250 mm Ø x600mm (large LC version up to 500mm x600mm)
- Full protected cabinet fulfills all safety requirements
- Low cost of ownership due to open-tube technology
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Typical CT applications
- Measuring the interior of system assemblies
- Troubleshooting assembly issues
- Analyzing defects using a non-destructive approach
Typically, CT inspection is applied to many different types of plastic parts:
- Cover parts of machining, domestic and other electrical equipment
- Numerous plastic parts integrated into complex assemblies (e.g. medical dispensers, electrical connectors)
Example application 1: Measure what other systems can’t see nor touch
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Plastic housing of drill
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CAD comparison
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Wall thickness inspection
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Metris micro-CT combines the power of micro-CT with the power of metrology.
This combination is especially suited for the analysis of plastic components and assemblies:
Within a few minutes you get full 3D data of your part, also of the inside that is impossible to access by other technologies in a non-destructive way. Powerful metrology software allows you to quickly compare the 3D measurement data against CAD data, inspect feature dimensions, calculate wall thickness and more.
Example application 2: Troubleshoot assembly issues
Not only single components but also assembled parts can be inspected. Are you interested to know well parts fit onto each other? CT will tell you.
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Assembly inspection
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Electrical Connector |
Wire bundle
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Example application 3 : Non-destructive defect analysis
Next to visualizing the part itself, one can also visualize the internal material structure,
and get both visual and quantitative information on inclusions and other defects.
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Small white plastic part
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CT image of the part,
showing defects (blue)
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Cross section of CT image of drill housing,
showing defect (yellow)
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Quantitative textual information
on defects
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Request information on Metris Computed Tomography systems
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Global site
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